France

Film commissions tout country's charms

WHY: Faced with growing competition from cheaper European shooting locations that often offer tax incentives, Gaul’s local film commissions, notably Film France and Ile de France, are tubthumping what’s unique to shooting in France — locations — and have launched a crusade to open doors to the most exclusive Gallic landmarks, such as the Louvre Museum, the Versailles and Fontainebleau palaces and the Arc de Triomphe, for filming.

Film France and Ile de France each have programs aimed at encouraging Hollywood writers to include France in their scripts: Ile de France hosts Autumn Stories, a residence for American writers, while Film France bows Eductour, a program in which 10 Hollywood writers are invited on a tour of Gaul’s landmarks.

Moreover, U.S. and Japanese producers, who are not eligible for co-production coin from the Centre National de Cinematographie (CNC), might soon benefit from a tax rebate program. The European Parliament is reviewing a pact that allows for a 20% tax rebate on foreign shoots’ Gallic spending, capped at $6.2 million.

BONUS: The Ile de France Commission has an $18.8 million support fund available for local and international shoots, including U.S. productions. To be eligible, a foreign production must shoot at least half of the film in Paris and its surrounding areas, and hire at least two below-the-line crew members, such as editing, costume designer or set designer, or sound or lighting workers. Since its inception in 2001, this selective support fund has been awarded to a few foreign films, including “Cheri” by Stephen Frears.